New signs point way to Marion County Park and Lake
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
The Kansas Department of Transportation is installing seven new signs which point the way for travelers on U.S.-56 and U.S.-77 to Marion County Park and Lake.
The dam which created the lake was built from 1936-1939 by a federal CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) camp of African-American World War I veterans.
Although many state fishing lakes were created at the time, Marion County was the only county to procure taxpayer funding and a federal project for a county lake.
Designed by county engineer James Meisner, the plans included much more than a fishing lake. They included the planting of trees and establishment of picnic and recreation areas all around the lake. Thus, the official name: Marion County Park and Lake.
Marion County Lake signs existed previously on U.S.-77 at 170th Street, but the new, brown signs are larger and also are along U.S.-56 at Eisenhower Drive.
No direct route from U.S.-56 to Marion County Park and Lake exists, so travelers are guided to take Eisenhower Drive into Marion.
Another sign near the Sunrise Apartments complex on Eisenhower near Main Street directs them to turn left onto U.S.-256. Signs at Upland Road direct them to Marion County Park and Lake.
In a major change from previous signs, the new signs read, "Marion County Park and Lake."
The wording was added at the urging of several lake advocates. They are hoping the designation "Park and Lake" will be informative and will encourage RVers to look for available camping sites at the lake.
It also is hoped the new signage will make a clear distinction between the county lake and the Army Corps of Engineers reservoir, which often is called Marion Lake, although its official name is Marion Reservoir.
